Unidentified Filipino blade

kai · 8th January 2006, 08:18 PM

Hello!

This blade (19" long, no scabbard) seems to have a horn hilt. I guess it's Visayan but have to admit that I have yet to wade through the archives for all postings on non-Moro stuff.

I'd greatly appreciate if fellow forumites could me get up to speed on this piece!

Sorry for the thumbnail quality - I'll add better pics once it arrives...

kai · 8th January 2006, 11:40 PM

One vote for Luzon via email...

Federico · 9th January 2006, 05:38 AM

maker two votes

kai · 9th January 2006, 06:48 PM

And a third one via PM - thanks, folks!

Any other pertinent information like local name? (Other than sundang, that is

)

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 9th January 2006, 09:44 PM

And a fourth for Luzon. The hilt looks horn to me.

kai · 9th January 2006, 10:12 PM

The seller was stating wood but I was also betting on horn for this piece.

BTW, Luzon is a pretty vast area - are there identifiable local subcultures as far as weapons are concerned? (I reckon this is more of a weapon rather than a plain working bolo.)

Regards,
Kai

LabanTayo · 10th January 2006, 10:55 PM

Its the infamous Inihaw Balaraw from Luzon.

Seriously folks, it looks like a very good Luzon fighting knife (balaraw).

Spunjer · 11th January 2006, 12:05 AM

kai,

i think i found a brother for your piece. i believe it's the same one i have on this thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1699

as far as subculture, i doubt if it's a tribal weapon per se; the question would be from what province it came from. i guess the term itak would suffice. here are some close ups. tho the blade shape is different, the handle is strikingly similar, and yes, mine is made out of carabao horn.

kai · 11th January 2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Seriously folks, it looks like a very good Luzon fighting knife (balaraw).

Thanks, LabanTayo!

At 19" this would be a Balaraw Mahaba, I guess? Which also comes under the name Itak (as suggested by Spunjer)?

Regards,
Kai

kai · 11th January 2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

i think i found a brother for your piece.

Nice coincidence, Spunjer! The hilt is of quite similar form and construction including the brass cap (how is that secured in your piece?) and, especially, the hexogonal brass ferrule. Now, the blade is a different beast... It would certainly be interesting to directly compare their "feel" in action!

Quote:

as far as subculture, i doubt if it's a tribal weapon per se; the question would be from what province it came from.

Yeah, I meant regional differences rather than it coming from any ethnic minority group. Pointers, anyone?

Regards,
Kai

Spunjer · 12th January 2006, 04:12 AM

the brass cap apears to be held by a small pin, and the tang also appears to go all the way thru (as seen on the picture). as far as the spine on yours, how thick is it? mine starts off pretty thick, around 3/8 of an inch, making this a pretty hefty blade for its size...

edited for spelling

8th January 2006, 08:18 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Unidentified Filipino blade Hello! This blade (19" long, no scabbard) seems to have a horn hilt. I guess it's Visayan but have to admit that I have yet to wade through the archives for all postings on non-Moro stuff. I'd greatly appreciate if fellow forumites could me get up to speed on this piece! Sorry for the thumbnail quality - I'll add better pics once it arrives... Attached Images

11th January 2006, 12:05 AM	#8
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	kai, i think i found a brother for your piece. i believe it's the same one i have on this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1699 as far as subculture, i doubt if it's a tribal weapon per se; the question would be from what province it came from. i guess the term itak would suffice. here are some close ups. tho the blade shape is different, the handle is strikingly similar, and yes, mine is made out of carabao horn. Attached Images

12th January 2006, 04:12 AM	#11
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	the brass cap apears to be held by a small pin, and the tang also appears to go all the way thru (as seen on the picture). as far as the spine on yours, how thick is it? mine starts off pretty thick, around 3/8 of an inch, making this a pretty hefty blade for its size... edited for spelling Last edited by Spunjer; 12th January 2006 at 12:12 PM.

8th January 2006, 11:40 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	One vote for Luzon via email...

9th January 2006, 05:38 AM	#3
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	maker two votes

9th January 2006, 06:48 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	And a third one via PM - thanks, folks! Any other pertinent information like local name? (Other than sundang, that is ) Regards, Kai

9th January 2006, 09:44 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	And a fourth for Luzon. The hilt looks horn to me.

9th January 2006, 10:12 PM	#6
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	The seller was stating wood but I was also betting on horn for this piece. BTW, Luzon is a pretty vast area - are there identifiable local subcultures as far as weapons are concerned? (I reckon this is more of a weapon rather than a plain working bolo.) Regards, Kai

10th January 2006, 10:55 PM	#7
LabanTayo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 177	Its the infamous Inihaw Balaraw from Luzon. Seriously folks, it looks like a very good Luzon fighting knife (balaraw).